In our next number we propose to consider the importance of this mission, in connection with the other missions of the church among the heathen. At present we shall only mention further, that several young brethren, of the best standing, are contemplating China as their field of labour in the ministry of the gospel, if the Lord will. This in his service. The names of the do-Saxon origin, being brought into subjection nors have been withheld; and we are sure by the feeble military movements of a diswe consult their preference by not using any tant and distracted Roman Catholic nation. words of praise to them, in our acknowl. We do not doubt, therefore, that at no reedgment of their donation. mote day there will be a large population in Texas, governed by the same principles, and in other respects substantially the same people, as the inhabitants of these United States. What shall be the character of this rising nation in a religious point of view? is a most important question, and one which deserves the earnest consideration of our Christian communities. A new power is growing up on our borders, in many ways related to our own people at this present time, and destined to a career whose history shall be interwoven with our own. The best bond to unite them in honourable friendship and profitable commerce with our. selves, is doubtless the influence of pure Christianity. The surest way to make them a source of perpetual and serious trouble is to leave them destitute of the means of grace. The influence of this new republic on the progress of civil and religious liberty among the Spanish-American nations is also a consideration of great weight--to which, however, we can only make this passing refer. ence. We trust that the system of missionary effort for this great country, which has been approved by the General Assembly and recommended to the general support of the churches, will be carried forward with be. coming vigour. Two more encouraging statements than those of this brief notice, we have seldom been able to lay before our readers, and we would ask a particular in. terest in their prayers, that the blessing of God may guide and prosper all that is un. dertaken by the church for the salvation of the millions of China. Texas. This new Republic, stretching from the State of Louisiana to the Rio Grande, and from the Gulf of Mexico to Red river, contains about 300,000 square miles of territory ---equal to nearly seven times the extent of the State of New York, or Pennsylvania. In so large a country, there is of course great diversity of climate and of soil; a large part of Texas is certainly capable of producing many of the most valuable grains, while other districts are well suited for the growth of cotton, the sugar cane, &c. It cannot be questioned, therefore, that this new country is capable of supporting a great number of inhabitants. But it is as immortal beings, we should chiefly view this people. And their destiny through eternity should be the greatest cause of our solicitude on their behalf. The foundations of society, of government, of religion, are now to be laid or established; and whatever is well done now, will be deeply influ ential on their best interests through all coming time and in the world to come. We are aware that a prejudice has been somewhat extensively awakened against Texas, as if its inhabitants were chiefly people of reckless fortunes and character. Were this the case, it would only constitute The present population does not probably a stronger ground of appeal to the hearts of exceed 150,000, exclusive of the Indians; Christians; it would show the greatness of and the unsettled state of the relations be. their spiritual need. But we have no doubt tween Texas and Mexico, greatly hinders that their character has been much misrepthe growth and prosperity of the Republic. resented, through the witless ridicule of many This state of things cannot long exist, nor of our newspaper writers, and also through do we believe that Mexico will ever re-gain the conduct of unprincipled men of our own the possession of Texas. Apart from the states, who have found a hiding place in that argument of facts, which would amply sup- new country from the justice which their port this opinion, we may safely assert the crimes have provoked. We are assured, little probability of a country, inhabited however, that the mass of the inhabitants chiefly by a protestant people of Anglo. of Texas are a very different people. They cannot, indeed, be greatly unlike the inhabitants of our new states in the west. The pressure of straitened circumstances, the spirit of enterprise, the ties of kindred, have conducted to that new land multitudes of whom any country might be proud. And the late troubles with Mexico, and those also with the Indians some time ago, have had one good effect-that of leading some who were of no service, either for character or for industry, to withdraw from the country. We learn on the best authority that there are many pious people, scattered in different parts of Texas; several churches, of differ. ent denominations, have been established, which are mostly however in a feeble state; some churches have been organized in connection with our own beloved Zion, and her children in those remote regions sigh at the remembrance of the religious privileges they once enjoyed, and long for the opportunity of again worshipping in the sanctuary the God of their fathers. Two or three church edifices have been erected, partly through aid received from this country, and partly through the greatest self-denial amongst their own members. Our feelings were painfully interested in hearing of a lady in one of the Texan towns, who had been carefully laying by the small earnings of her needle in order to be able to visit her aged mother in one of our Atlantic cities, whom she had not seen for six years. When she had collected about one hundred and fifty dollars, nearly the required amount, the effort was proposed and undertaken to build a church, and this excellent woman consecrated towards it the whole of her money, with her prayers and tears. We doubt not there are many like-minded people in Texas. one missionary in Texas, whose labours have been directed chiefly to the Spanish-American people, south-west of that country.Hoping to receive funds, the Committee have made some appropriations in advance, and it is proposed as soon as possible, that is, as soon as "the state of their funds may allow," to undertake the support of additional missionaries; and the object of these remarks is to invite the favourable attention of our readers to the subject. We believe there is a great work for our Church to do in Texas, and we have no doubt God will abundantly bless our endeavours, if undertaken in a right spirit. Our brethren of other churches are at work in this important and promising field. We cordially bid God speed to the labours of the Episcopal, Baptist, and Methodist missionaries, according to the extent of their preaching Christ and him crucified; but we should exceedingly regret to relin. quish all the land to their exertions, and we learn with pain that some of our own people have no alternative but to embrace the communion of other churches. What is chiefly to be feared is the restless activity of the Romanist body. They are zealously engaged already in Texas, although their missionaries and their funds must be brought across the Atlantic. Surely we cannot consent that strangers and errorists from the old world should do more to establish the reign of darkness, than our own church to promote the spread of light and liberty amongst our very neighbours. Now is the time for zealous effort. We trust such will be the conviction and the response of our churches. Missionary Map. A Map has been published at the Mission House for the use of Monthly Concert meetings. It presents on a large scale the countries of India, Burmah, and Siam-the outline and leading geographical features, and the missionary stations of the Board being strongly marked, so as easily to be seen from any part of a Lecture Room, when the Map is held up at the desk. At present extreme depression exists in their pecuniary affairs, so that, however will. ing the people might be to support the ministrations of the gospel among them, they are really not able to meet the expense without assistance from our churches. The last General Assembly adopted a Resolution, instructing the Board of Foreign Missions "to use such efforts as the state of their funds may allow, to sustain and extend the preaching of the gospel in Texas." The Execu This Map is the first of a series, to em. tive Committee of the Board have given this brace all the countries in which the missions Resolution their serious consideration, and of our church are established. It is printed are anxious to carry it into the fullest effect. on strong paper, and can be afforded at the Heretofore the Foreign Board has had but "low price of fifty cents. DONATIONS TO THE BOARD OF FOREIGN MISSIONS IN MAY. Baltimore, 1st ch. ann. coll. 850,83; Juv. Iniss. soc. 4th ann. payt. to ed. John Chester Backus and Elizabeth Conkling in sch. under care of Rev. H. R. Wilson, Jr. Futtehgurh, 60; do. a 'friend, to ed. James Armstrong in do. 25; teachers of sab. sch. to ed. Josiah Starkey Imbree in do. 25,-less 5. Washington city, F. St. ch. 20 Pby. of Carlisle. Middle Spring ch. of which 10 from Samuel Wherry, 14,50; Lower Paxton ch. Rob. Elder, 10; Greencastle ch. 35, do. sab. sch. for schools at Allahabad, 3,67; Dickinson ch. 20; Roxbury and Newburg chs. addl. 20; Derry fem. miss. soc. 20,25; Mercersburg ch. 37; Great Conawago ch. 17,50; Gettysburg ch. fem. miss. soc. sup. orphan sch. under care of Rev. H. R. Wilson, Jr. Futtehgurh, 46,77; Gettysburg, Nathaniel Randolph, 2,50; W. Hanover ch, Rev. James Snodgrass, 20; Bloomfield, Landisburg, and Buffalo chs. of which from Wm. Mulligan 10, bal. to con. his son RICHARD MULLIGAN, I. m. and 10 in part to con. 1. m. 71,12; less disc. on the above, 15,81 Pby. of Huntingdon. Frankstown, ladies of cong. for miss. sch. at Allahabad. 8; mo. con. colls. 53,60 Pby. of Northumberland. 248 73 15 58 91 50 975 83 402 50 61 60 New Columbia ch. 6,50; New Berlin ch. 24; Mooresburg ch. 9,12: Chillesquaque ch. 4; Northumberland ch. 14,50; Sanbury ch. 3; Washingtonville, fem. miss. soc. 9; Buffalo ch. 25,75, disc. 1,13; Bethel ch. 12, disc. 84 cts. Danville ch. mo. con. 14.73; do. fem. miss. soc. 30, less disc. 63 cts. ; sab. sch. miss. soc. 3,85 SYNOD OF PITTSBURG. Pby. of Blairsville. Blairsville ch. 25,25; Curry's run ch. 6,50 Pby. of Redstone. 153 85 31 75 55 00 Dunlap's cr. ch. 9,56; Rehoboth ch. 35 44 56 15 00 125 44 52 00 Scrubgrass ch. a widow's mite,'' 1,50; SYNOD OF VIRGINIA. Pby. of Lexington. Harrisonburgh ch. SYNOD OF N. C. Pby. of Fayetteville. China Grove ch. 11,25; Long-st. ch. in part 4; Bethesda ch. Archibald Smith, 2; Mineral Spring ch. Rev. H. McLauren, 50 cts.; Smyrna ch. 13; Black River chapel, 16,40; Hopewell ch. in part, 4,75; Keith ch. 3,25; Elizabethtown ch. 2,21; Brown Marsh ch. 3,25; S. River ch. 6,20; Sardis ch. 12,33; Ashpole ch. in part, 3,75; -Evander McIver, 2; St. Paul's ch. 50 cts.; Centre ch. 8,20 14 76 93 59 THE DOMESTIC MISSIONARY CHRONICLE. JULY, 1843. BOARD OF MISSIONS. ABSTRACT OF THE ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1843. WITH many thanks to God for the grace || ship have been erected, or are now buildbestowed on the churches, and for his ing. Not less than nine hundred Sabbath special favour to the missionary cause, schools, with Bible, and Catechetical we present to our readers a brief abstract classes have been reported, in which more of the missionary operations and results than thirty thousand children and youth of the past year. are weekly instructed in the precious truths of God's word. The temperance cause has steadily advanced, and its salutary influence not only on the temporal prosperity of the people, but also in preparing them for the reception of Gospel truth, has been most decided, and marked. Special attention has been paid to pastoral family visitation, and with the happiest effect. The monthly concert for prayer has been generally observed with encouraging interest, and weekly prayer meetings have been greatly multiplied, and signally blessed. The whole number of missionaries employed during the year has been two hundred and ninety-six, and the number of feeble churches and missionary districts supplied, have exceeded seven hundred and fifty. More than twenty of the missionaries have been strictly itinerants, and a large proportion of the whole number have performed the work of itinerants, having supplied large districts, in many instances including one or more counties. One hundred and seventy-eight of these missionaries were in commission at the commencement of the year, and one hundred and eighteen have been new appointments during the year. This is the largest number of missionaries the church has ever had in the field in a single year, and the amount of ministerial labour performed, is much greater than in any former year. There has been a decided increase in the interest felt and manifested in behalf of the, benevolent institutions of the church; this has been more especially the case, in reference to the cause of missions. The missionary spirit has greatly increased in our mission churches. And it is an interesting fact, that very few of those churches, feeble as they are, have failed to do something for this cause. The past year, in the missionary work of the church, has been eminently "a year of the right hand of the Most High." Revivals of religion more numerous, and more general, and powerful than in any former year of our history, have been en The results of the year have been peculiarly precious, and encouraging. There have been added to the churches on examination more than three thousand six hundred, by certificate from other churches about twelve hundred, making a total of four thousand eight hundred; were the whole number reported it would probably exceed five thousand.joyed by our missionaries. On this most More than fifty new churches have been interesting subject the Board would speak organized, and seventy houses for wor- with due caution. They are fully aware VOL. XI.-28 |